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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Ashanti Washington, 202-331-5660, awashington@ucsusa.org

Green New Deal or Not, Congress Must Act on Climate Change

Statement by Ken Kimmell, President, Union of Concerned Scientists

WASHINGTON

Today, the Senate voted against a motion to take up the Green New Deal resolution introduced last month by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and introduced in the House by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

"Today, the Senate opted for political theater over a genuine effort to solve the most pressing challenge of our time--global warming. Rather than today's floor vote over a non-binding resolution, we need both parties to put a binding plan on the table that will cut emissions, decarbonize our electricity sector, electrify the transportation sector, help farmers adapt to and mitigate a changing climate, and prioritize the needs of communities that are already dealing with the destructive impacts of climate change.

"It is regrettable that the Senate is wasting its time scoring political points rather than solving this problem."

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.